Aerosol generating device

ABSTRACT

An aerosol generating device comprises a case; a heater located in the case and configured to generate heat; and a support configured to provide a space in which an aerosol-generating article is heated and generates an aerosol, and including a cavity for accommodating an aerosol-generating article, an inlet for receiving the aerosol-generating article into the cavity, an opening portion provided on a side surface to open at least a portion of the cavity, and a rib located on an inner circumferential surface and configured to guide movement of the aerosol-generating article against a direction toward the opening portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device including a support into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device and a support having an opening on the side to facilitate the removal of debris or foreign substances, and including a rib to guide movement of the aerosol-generating article.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of traditional cigarettes has increased. For example, there is growing demand for an aerosol generating device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating material in cigarettes without combustion. Accordingly, researches on a heating-type aerosol generating device have been actively conducted.

When the aerosol generating device is used, an aerosol-generating article is inserted into an accommodating portion of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating article is inserted in a lengthwise direction of the accommodating portion.

When the aerosol-generating article is extracted from the accommodating portion after smoking is finished, debris of the aerosol-generating article may remain in the accommodating portion. In a conventional aerosol generating device, it is not easy to remove debris from the accommodating portion. The debris remaining in the accommodating portion may affect an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device, thereby reducing a flavor of the aerosol and causing hygienic problems. In order to remove the residue, a separate cleaning tool that may be inserted into the accommodating portion, such as a cotton swab, is required.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

When the aerosol generating device is used, an aerosol-generating article is inserted into an accommodating portion of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating article is inserted in a lengthwise direction of the accommodating portion. When the aerosol-generating article is extracted from the accommodating portion after smoking is finished, debris of the aerosol-generating article may remain in the accommodating portion. In a conventional aerosol generating device, it is not easy to remove debris from the accommodating portion. The debris remaining in the accommodating portion may affect an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating device, thereby reducing a flavor of the aerosol and causing hygienic problems. In order to remove the residue, a separate cleaning tool that may be inserted into the accommodating portion, such as a cotton swab, is required, which causes inconvenience to a user.

Problems to be solved by the embodiments according to the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not described may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong from the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

Solution to Problem

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment in order to solve the above problems includes a case; a heater arranged in the case and configured to generate heat; and a support configured to provide a space in which an aerosol-generating article is heated and generates an aerosol, and comprising: a cavity for accommodating the aerosol-generating article; an inlet for receiving the aerosol-generating article into the cavity; an opening portion located on a side surface of the support such that the cavity is exposed out of the support; and a rib located on an inner circumferential surface of the support and configured to guide movement of the aerosol-generating article against a direction toward the opening portion.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

An aerosol generating device according to the embodiments includes a support into which an aerosol-generating article is inserted, and the support is detachably coupled with the aerosol generating device. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating article can be easily removed from the aerosol generating device. In addition, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments is provided with an opening on the side of the support. Accordingly, the removal of debris or foreign substances is easy, which results in an excellent flavor of the aerosol.

In addition, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments may increase the amount of atomization by increasing the amount of air mixed with the aerosol by the air passage introduced through the opening.

In addition, the aerosol generating device according to the embodiments may guide the aerosol-generating article to a correct position with respect to a heater by guiding the movement of the aerosol-generating article by having a rib located on the inner circumferential surface between an inlet and the opening of the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a cigarette.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device and an aerosol-generating article according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 3 .

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of a support of the aerosol generating device shown in FIG. 3 .

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support of the aerosol generating device cut along VII-VII as shown in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the support of the aerosol generating device cut along VIII-VIII as shown in FIG. 5 .

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of a support of an aerosol generating device according to a second embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of a support of an aerosol generating device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a support of an aerosol generating device according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an airflow in the support shown in FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is a view showing an air passage of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment may include a case; a heater arranged in the case and configured to generate heat; and a support configured to provide a space in which an aerosol-generating article is heated and generates an aerosol, and comprising: a cavity for accommodating the aerosol-generating article; an inlet for receiving the aerosol-generating article into the cavity; an opening portion located on a side surface of the support such that the cavity is exposed out of the support; and a rib located on an inner circumferential surface of the support and configured to guide movement of the aerosol-generating article against a direction toward the opening portion.

In addition, the rib may protrude toward the cavity from the inner surface of the support, and a surface of the rib may be inclined with respect to an extending direction of the cavity.

In addition, a distance from a center of the cavity to the rib may be greater than or equal to a radius of the horizontal cross-section of the aerosol-generating article having a cylindrical shape.

In addition, a side surface of the opening portion may include a guide portion inclined toward the inside of the cavity such that a rotational movement of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity is guided by the guide portion.

In addition, the opening portion may include an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to an extending direction of the cavity.

A first opening angle corresponding to a lower end of the opening portion may be greater than a second opening angle corresponding to an upper end of the opening portion.

In addition, the first opening angle may be 120 degrees to 180 degrees, and the second opening angle is 90 degrees to 120 degrees.

In addition, the rib may extend along at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening portion.

In addition, the plurality of ribs may be arranged on the inner circumferential surface between the inlet and the opening.

In addition, the support may further include a through hole in a bottom of the support facing the end of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity, and the heater may be located to penetrate the through hole.

In addition, the through hole may include an inclined portion where the through hole becomes larger along a direction toward the cavity.

In addition, the support may be detachably coupled to the case.

In addition, the case may include an accommodating portion for accommodating the support, and an air passage for introducing air into the cavity is formed between the accommodating portion and the support.

In addition, the support may further include a through hole in a bottom surface of the support facing the end of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity, the heater may be arranged to pass through the through hole, the opening portion may provide fluid communication between the accommodating portion and the cavity, and the air passage may include a main air passage through which air flows into the cavity through the through hole, and a sub air passage through which air flows into the cavity through the opening portion.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

With respect to the terms used to describe the various embodiments, general terms which are currently and widely used are selected in consideration of functions of structural elements in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. However, meanings of the terms can be changed according to intention, a judicial precedence, the appearance of new technology, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, a term which is not commonly used can be selected. In such a case, the meaning of the term will be described in detail at the corresponding portion in the description of the present disclosure. Therefore, the terms used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the descriptions provided herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”, and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function and/or operation and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

As used herein, expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression, “at least one of a, b, and c,” should be understood as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “over,” “above,” “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly over, above, on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over,” “directly above,” “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The term “aerosol generating article” may refer to a product designed for smoking by a person puffing on the aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article may include an aerosol generating material that generates aerosols without combustion. For example, one or more aerosol generating articles may be loaded in an aerosol generating device and generate aerosols when heated by the aerosol generating device. The shape, size, material, and structure of the aerosol generating article may differ according to embodiments. Examples of the aerosol generating article may include, but are not limited to, a cigarette-shaped substrate and a cartridge. Hereinafter, the term “cigarette” (i.e., when used alone without a modifier such as “general,” “traditional,” or “combustive”) may refer to an aerosol generating article which has a shape and a size similar to those of a traditional combustive cigarette.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily work the present disclosure. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 10 may include a battery 11, a controller 12, and a heater 200. Also, the aerosol generating article 20 may be inserted into an inner space of the aerosol generating device 10.

FIG. 1 illustrates components of the aerosol generating device 10, which are related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 10, in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 illustrates that the battery 11, the controller 12, and the heater 200 are arranged in series, but it is not limited thereto. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating device 10, the battery 11, the controller 12 and the heater 200 may be differently arranged.

When the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating device 10 may operate the heater 200. Temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article 20 is increased by the heater 200, and thus an aerosol may be generated. The aerosol generated by the heater 200 is delivered to a user by passing through the aerosol generating article 20.

As necessary, even when the aerosol generating article 20 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the aerosol generating device 10 may heat the heater 200.

The battery 11 may supply power to be used for the aerosol generating device 10 to operate. For example, the battery 11 may supply power to heat the heater 200, and may supply power for operating the controller 12. Also, the battery 11 may supply power for operations of a display, a sensor, a motor, etc. mounted in the aerosol generating device 10.

The controller 12 may generally control operations of the aerosol generating device 10. In detail, the controller 12 may control not only operations of the battery 11 and the heater 200, but also operations of other components included in the aerosol generating device 10. Also, the controller 12 may check a state of each of the components of the aerosol generating device 10 to determine whether or not the aerosol generating device 10 is able to operate.

The controller 12 may include at least one processor. A processor can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the processor can be implemented in other forms of hardware.

The heater 200 may be heated by the power supplied from the battery 11. For example, when the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, the heater 200 may be located inside the aerosol generating article 20. Thus, the heated heater 200 may increase a temperature of an aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating article 20.

The heater 200 may include an electro-resistive heater. For example, the heater 200 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 200 may be heated when currents flow through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 200 is not limited to the example described above and may include all heaters which may be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be pre-set in the aerosol generating device 10 or may be set by a user.

As another example, the heater 200 may include an induction heater. In detail, the heater 200 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating an aerosol generating article in an induction heating method, and the aerosol generating article may include a susceptor which may be heated by the induction heater.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the heater 200 is disposed to be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the heater 200 may include a tube-type heating element, a plate-type heating element, a needle-type heating element, or a rod-type heating element, and may heat the inside or the outside of the aerosol generating article 20, according to the shape of the heating element.

Also, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a plurality of heaters 200. Here, the plurality of heaters 200 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20 or may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 20. Also, some of the plurality of heaters 200 may be inserted into the aerosol generating article 20 and the others may be arranged outside the aerosol generating article 20. In addition, the shape of the heater 200 is not limited to the shapes illustrated in FIG. 1 and may include various shapes.

The aerosol generating device 10 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11, the controller 12 and the heater 200. For example, the aerosol generating device 10 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting haptic information. Also, the aerosol generating device 10 may include at least one sensor (a puff sensor, a temperature sensor, an aerosol generating article insertion detecting sensor, etc.).

Also, the aerosol generating device 10 may be formed as a structure that, even when the aerosol generating article 20 is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, may introduce external air or discharge internal air.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 10 and an additional cradle may form together a system. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11 of the aerosol generating device 10. Alternatively, the heater 200 may be heated when the cradle and the aerosol generating device 10 are coupled to each other.

The aerosol generating article 20 may be similar to a general combustive cigarette. For example, the aerosol generating article 20 may be divided into a first portion 21 including an aerosol generating material and a second portion 22 including a filter, etc. Alternatively, the second portion of the aerosol generating article 20 may also include an aerosol generating material. For example, an aerosol generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second portion 22.

The entire first portion 21 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10, and the second portion 22 may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a portion of the first portion 21 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10. As another example, the entire first portion 21 and a portion of the second portion 22 may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10. The user may puff the aerosol while holding the second portion 22 by the mouth of the user. In this case, the aerosol is generated by the external air passing through the first portion 21, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion 22 and is delivered to the user's mouth.

For example, the external air may flow into at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10. For example, opening and closing of the air passage and/or a size of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10 may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of smoke and a smoking impression may be adjusted by the user. As another example, the external air may flow into the aerosol generating article 20 through at least one hole formed in a surface of the aerosol generating article 20.

Hereinafter, the example of the aerosol generating article 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 shows a view showing an example of a cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the aerosol generating article 20 may include a tobacco rod 21 and a filter rod 22. The first portion 21 described above with reference to FIG. 1 may include the tobacco rod 21, and the second portion 22 may include the filter rod 22.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the filter rod 22 includes a single segment. However, the filter rod 22 is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22 may include a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a first segment configured to cool an aerosol and a second segment configured to filter a certain component included in the aerosol. Also, as necessary, the filter rod 22 may further include at least one segment configured to perform other functions.

The aerosol generating article 20 may be packaged using at least one wrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may have at least one hole through which external air may be introduced or internal air may be discharged. For example, the aerosol generating article 20 may be packaged by one wrapper 24. As another example, the aerosol generating article 20 may be double-packaged by two or more wrappers 24. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be packaged by a first wrapper, and the filter rod 22 may be packaged by a second wrapper. Also, the tobacco rod 21 and the filter rod 22 are wrapped by individual wrappers are combined, the entire aerosol generating article 20 may be re-packaged by a third wrapper. When the tobacco rod 21 or the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, each segment may be packaged by individual wrappers. Also, the entire aerosol generating article 20 in which segments wrapped by individual wrappers are combined may be re-packaged by another wrapper.

The tobacco rod 21 may include an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but it is not limited thereto. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may include other additives, such as flavors, a wetting agent, and/or organic acid. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may include a flavored liquid, such as menthol or a moisturizer, which is injected to the tobacco rod 21.

The tobacco rod 21 may be manufactured in various forms. For example, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a sheet or a strand. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may be formed as a pipe tobacco, which is formed of tiny bits cut from a tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod 21 may be surrounded by a heat conductive material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil. For example, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may uniformly distribute heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 21, and thus, the heat conductivity applied to the tobacco rod may be increased and taste of the tobacco may be improved. Also, the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21 may function as a susceptor heated by the induction heater. Here, although not illustrated in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21 may further include an additional susceptor, in addition to the heat conductive material surrounding the tobacco rod 21.

The filter rod 22 may include a cellulose acetate filter. Shapes of the filter rod 22 are not limited. For example, the filter rod 22 may include a cylinder-type rod or a tube-type rod having a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 22 may include a recess-type rod. When the filter rod 22 includes a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may have a different shape.

The filter rod 22 may be formed to generate flavors. For example, a flavoring liquid may be injected onto the filter rod 22, or an additional fiber coated with a flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22.

Also, the filter rod 22 may include at least one capsule 23. Here, the capsule 23 may generate a flavor or an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23 may have a configuration in which a liquid containing a flavoring material is wrapped with a film. For example, the capsule 23 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

When the filter rod 22 includes a segment configured to cool the aerosol, the cooling segment may include a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may include pure polylactic acid alone, but the material for forming the cooling segment is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the cooling segment may include a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example and is not limited as long as the cooling segment cools the aerosol.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device 10 and an aerosol-generating article 20 according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the aerosol generating device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a case 100, a heater 200, and a support 300. Components of the aerosol generating device 10 according to the first embodiment are not limited to the components shown in the drawings, and may further include components of the general aerosol generating device 10.

The case 100 may include an accommodating portion 110 for accommodating the support 300. The accommodating portion 110 may have a shape and size corresponding to the support 300 to accommodate the support 300. For example, when the support 300 has a cylindrical shape, the accommodating portion 110 may be made of a hollow cylindrical shape to accommodate the support 300. However, the shape of the support 300 is not limited thereto and may be changed as necessary.

The support 300 may serve as a heating chamber that provides a space in which the aerosol-generating article 20 is heated and generates an aerosol. The support 300 may include a cavity 310 for accommodating the aerosol-generating article 20 and an inlet 320 connected to the cavity 310 and into which the aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted. The cavity 310 formed in the interior of the support 300 may have a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the aerosol-generating article 20. For example, when the aerosol-generating article 20 has a cylindrical shape, the cavity 310 may have a cylindrical shape corresponding to the aerosol-generating article 20 to accommodate the cylindrical aerosol-generating article 20.

The heater 200 may heat the aerosol-generating article 20 accommodated in the cavity 310 by generating heat. When the heater 200 heats the aerosol-generating article 20, an aerosol may be generated, and the user may inhale the generated aerosol. As shown in FIG. 3 , the heater 200 may be disposed near the accommodating portion 110. Also, as will be described later, the heater 200 may be disposed to penetrate into the interior of the support 300 such that the heater 200 is inserted into the aerosol-generating article 20 accommodated in the cavity 310.

The support 300 may be detachably coupled to the accommodating portion 110. As shown in FIG. 4 , the support 300 may engage with a cover (C). Thus, when the user takes out the cover C, the support 300 connected to the cover C may be moved from the accommodating portion 110, thereby extracting the aerosol-generating article 20. As an example, the aerosol-generating article 20 may be extracted as the support 300 is separated from the aerosol-generating device 10. As another example, the aerosol-generating article 20 may be extracted as the support 300 moves a predetermined distance in the accommodating portion 110.

In a conventional aerosol generating device, the remaining debris such as cut filler and tobacco sheets included in the tobacco rod 21 may be adhered to the inner wall of the support 300 or to the heater 200. Thus, even if the aerosol-generating article 20 is extracted from the cavity 310, debris may remain in the cavity 310. Also, the debris may fall and remain in the cavity 310 when a portion of the aerosol-generating article 20 is torn or cut in the process of extracting the aerosol-generating article 20. Since the cavity 310 has a long and narrow shape (e.g., cylindrical shape) for accommodating the aerosol-generating article 20, it may be difficult for a user to access the cavity 310. Thus, it may be difficult to remove the debris or foreign substances remaining in the cavity 310 through the inlet 320.

In the aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment, for easy removal of debris or foreign substances present in the cavity 310, the support 300 may include an opening portion 330 formed in a side surface of the support 300 to open at least a portion of the cavity 310. The support 300 may include at least one opening portion 330. When residual debris is present in the cavity 310, the user may easily remove the residual debris in the cavity 310 through the opening portion 330. For example, by lightly tapping the support 300 toward the opening portion 330, the remaining debris may be discharged to the outside of the cavity 310 through the opening portion 330.

The arrangement of the heater 200 is not limited to that shown in the drawings. For convenience of description, the heater 200 is assumed to have a pointy rod shape and be disposed in the cavity 310. The heater 200 may penetrate the bottom 340 of the support 300 and may be exposed to the cavity 310.

In order for the heater 200 to effectively heat the aerosol-generating article 20, the position of the heater 200 and the position of the aerosol-generating article 20 must be aligned. In order for the position of the aerosol-generating article 20 to align with the position of the heater 200, the aerosol-generating article 20 must be inserted precisely in the direction in which the cavity 310 extends.

However, the user may inadvertently insert the aerosol-generating article 20 into the cavity 310 in a tilted state such that the aerosol-generating article 20 is pushed toward the opening portion 330. That is, the aerosol-generating article 20 may be inserted into the cavity 310 in a direction that is not parallel with the extending direction (i.e., vertical axis direction) of the cavity 310. In this case, a portion of the aerosol-generating article 20 may stick out of the support 300 through the opening portion 330. That is, while the opening portion 330 may serve to facilitate the removal of residual debris, but it may also cause the aerosol-generating article 20 to be incorrectly positioned in the cavity 310.

When the aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted into the cavity 310 with a tilt toward the opening portion 330, the position of the aerosol-generating article 20 relative to the heater 200 may deviate from a proper position. In this case, the heater 200 may not evenly heat the aerosol-generating article 20, resulting in an inconsistent tobacco taste and a reduced amount of atomization. Also, when the aerosol-generating article 20 is extracted, a portion of the aerosol-generating article 20 may be cut off and left in the cavity 310.

In order to address this problem, the support 300 according to an embodiment may include a rib 400. As shown in FIG. 4 , the rib 400 may be arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the support 300 between the inlet 320 and the opening portion 330 of the support 300. In other words, the rib 400 may be arranged near (e.g., above) the opening portion 330, and it may not be arranged in other portions of the inner circumferential surface of the support 300 where the opening portion 330 is not provided.

When the aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted into the cavity 310, the rib 400 arranged between the inlet 320 and the opening portion 330 of the support 300 may support the aerosol-generating article 20 in a direction opposite to the direction toward the opening portion 330. Therefore, the rib 400 may guide the aerosol-generating article 20 to the cavity 310 so that the aerosol-generating article 20 moves along the direction in which the cavity 310 extends without tilting toward the opening portion 330. As a result, the rib 400 may align the position of the aerosol-generating article 20 within the interior of the support 300 with the position of the heater 200. The rib 400 may be a flexible material to guide the movement of the aerosol-generating article 20 without damaging the aerosol-generating article 20.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the support 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 shown in FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , as described above, the rib 400 is arranged between the inlet 320 and the opening portion 330 of the support 300, and the rib 400 is not located on other portions of the support where the opening portion 330 is not provided.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the rib 400 may protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the support 300 toward the cavity 310 and may be inclined with respect to the direction of a vertical axis of the cavity 310 (i.e., the extending direction of the cavity 310) in which the aerosol-generating article 20 is supposed to be inserted. The rib 400 may be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol-generating article 20 to guide the movement of the aerosol-generating article 20 such that the aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted along the extending direction of the cavity 310. Thus, the rib 400 may guide the movement of the aerosol-generating article 20 to prevent the aerosol-generating article 20 from tilting toward the opening portion 330 when being inserted into the cavity 310.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the surface of the rib 400 may be inclined relative to the extending direction of the cavity 310 such that the rib 400 does not impede the insertion of the aerosol-generating article 20. Because the rib 400 is inclined with respect to the extending direction of the cavity 310, the aerosol-generating article 20 may be smoothly inserted even though the rib 400 protrudes toward the cavity 310. However, the shape of the rib 400 may vary, and is not limited to the above-described shape.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 cut along VII-VII as shown in FIG. 6 , as viewed in the direction A. The direction A refers to a vertical direction toward the inlet 320 from above the support 300.

Referring to FIG. 7 , in the support 300, the distance a from the center 311 of the cavity to the rib 400 may be greater than or equal to the radius b of the cross-section of the aerosol-generating article 20. Although the cross section of the aerosol-generating article 20 is shown in a circular shape for explanation, it is not necessarily limited to a circular shape and may have other shapes as needed.

When the aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted in alignment with the cavity 310, the center of the aerosol-generating article 20 may coincide with the center 311 of the cavity. Consequently, a virtual circle whose radius is the distance a from the center of the cavity 311 to the rib 400 is greater than or equal to the cross-section of the aerosol-generating article 20.

In order for the aerosol-generating article 20 to be inserted into the cavity 310, the cross-section of the cavity 310 at all positions of the support 300 must be greater than or equal to the cross-section of the aerosol-generating article 20. Because the rib 400 protrudes into the cavity 310, the cavity 310 has the smallest cross-section at the location of the rib 400. The cross section of the cavity 310 at the location of the rib 400 may form a virtual circle with a radius which is a distance from the center 311 of the cavity to the rib 400. In a case where the distance a from the center 311 of the cavity to the rib 400 is greater than or equal to the radius b of the cross-section of the aerosol-generating article 20, the cavity 310 may allow insertion and extraction of the aerosol-generating article 20.

According to an embodiment, the distance a from the center 311 of the cavity to the rib 400 may be equal to or greater than the radius b of the cross-section of the aerosol-generating article 20, so the support 300 of the aerosol-generating article 20 may be inserted into and extracted from the cavity 310 of the aerosol-generating device 10.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the support 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 cut along VIII-VIII as shown in FIG. 5 .

When the used aerosol-generating article 20 is extracted from the cavity 310, the user may rotate the aerosol-generating article 20 while pulling it out of the cavity 310. In this case, a wrapper may be torn or a portion of the aerosol-generating article 20 may be cut off by the side surface of the opening portion 330 (i.e., the portion of the support 300 at the boundary of the opening portion 330).

Referring to FIG. 8 , at least a portion of the side surface of the opening portion 330 may include a guide portion 331 inclined toward the inside of the cavity 310. In other words, the guide portion 331 corresponds to a surface of the support 300 which defines the opening portion 330. When the aerosol-generating article 20 is rotated in the cavity 310, the inclined guide portion 331 may guide a rotational movement of the aerosol-generating article 20 to prevent the aerosol-generating article 20 from being torn or cut off due to the rotational movement. The length of the guide portion 331 (i.e., a different between an opening angle of the opening portion 330 on the outer surface of the support 300 and an opening angle of the opening portion 330 on the inner surface of the support 300) may be appropriately adjusted as necessary.

Hereinafter, an aerosol generating device 10 according to other embodiments will be described. Except for the configurations described separately for the aerosol-generating device 10 according to the second to fourth embodiments, the remaining configurations are the same as the aerosol-generating device 10 according to the first embodiment, and the same reference numbers are used for the same configurations. Detailed descriptions overlapping those described above will be omitted.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of a support 300 of an aerosol generating device 10 according to a second embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the support 300 of the aerosol-generating device 10 according to the second embodiment may include an inclined portion 332 inclined with respect to the extending direction of the cavity 310. The inclined portion 332 corresponds to a boundary of the opening portion 330. Accordingly, the cross-section of the opening portion 330 may have a tapered shape. Here, the ‘tapered shape’ refers to a shape in which the width of the opening portion 330 becomes narrower toward the end (e.g., inlet 320) of the opening portion 330.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the length of an inclined portion 332 may be appropriately adjusted as necessary.

When the aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted, the end of the aerosol-generating article 20 that has passed through the inlet 320 and reached the opening portion 330 may be guided in the insertion direction by the inclined portion 332. Even if the aerosol-generating article 20 is tilted towards the opening portion 330, the aerosol-generating article 20 may not pass through the opening portion 330, but may be inserted in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the cavity 310 along the inclined portion 332. That is, the inclined portion 332 may guide the movement of the aerosol-generating article 20 such that the center of the aerosol-generating article 20 substantially coincides with the center of the cavity 310. When the aerosol-generating article 20 reaches the inclined portion 332 past the inlet 320, the inclined portion 332 guides the movement of the aerosol-generating article 20 such that the aerosol-generating article 20 moves along the extending direction of the cavity 310. Thus, the aerosol generating article 20 may be inserted smoothly into the cavity 310.

In addition, due to the inclined portion 332, the opening portion 330 may have different opening widths along the extending direction of the cavity 310. In other words, an opening angle (e.g., a central angle) of the opening portion 330 may vary along the extending direction of the cavity 310.

Referring to FIG. 9 b , the first opening angle 333 of the opening portion 330 at the lower end may be greater than the second opening angle 334 of the opening portion 330 at the upper end. As an example, the first opening angle 333 may be 120 degrees to 180 degrees, and the second opening angle 334 may be 90 degrees to 120 degrees, but is not limited thereto.

Because the second opening angle 334 of the opening portion 330 at the upper end is relatively smaller than the first opening angle 333 of the lower end, tilting of the aerosol-generating article 20 toward the opening portion 330 may be prevented. In addition, because debris is more likely to remain at the bottom of the cavity 30, most residual debris may be easily removed through the lower end of the opening portion 330 that has a wide opening angle.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of a support 300 of an aerosol generating device 10 according to a third embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, in the support 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 according to the third embodiment, at least one rib 400 is located on an inner circumferential surface of the support 300 between an inlet 320 and an opening portion 330. One rib 400 may be extend along at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening portion 330, or a plurality of ribs 400 may be arranged along at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening portion 330.

In the support 300 of the aerosol-generating device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the contact area between the rib 400 and the aerosol-generating article 20 increases by the arrangement of the at least one rib 400. Thus, the rib 400 may effectively guide the movement of the aerosol-generating article 20.

The rib 400 may be arranged only in a portion of the support 300 where the opening portion 330 is provided, and may not be arranged in other portions of the support 300. This is because, when the rib 400 is arranged to extend to a portion where the opening portion 330 is not provided, the tilt of the aerosol-generating article 20 may not be effectively prevented.

When the plurality of ribs 400 are arranged, the plurality of ribs 400 may be arranged at equal intervals, and the surface of each rib 400 may be inclined with respect to the extending direction (i.e., vertical axis direction) of the cavity 310.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a support 300 of an aerosol generating device 10 according to a fourth embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11 , a through hole 341 through which a heater 200 passes may be formed in a bottom 340 of the support 300. The bottom 340 of the support 300 may face an end of the aerosol-generating article 20 when an aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted into a cavity 310. When the aerosol-generating article 20 is inserted into the cavity 310, the bottom 340 of the support 300 may contact one end of the aerosol-generating article 20.

When a user inhales the aerosol-generating article 20, air may be introduced into the aerosol-generating article 20 through the through hole 341 formed in the bottom 340 of the support 300. The air introduced into the aerosol-generating article 20 may be mixed with the aerosol and provided to the user.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the through hole 341 of the support 300 may include an inclined portion 342 where the through hole 341 becomes larger along a direction toward the cavity 310. Accordingly, the air introduced into the through hole 341 may be evenly spread throughout the aerosol-generating article 20.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an airflow in the support 300 shown in FIG. 11 .

Looking at an inflow of air into the support 300 of the aerosol generating device 10 according to the fourth embodiment with reference to FIG. 12 , the airflow passing through the through hole 341 may be expanded inside the support 300 by moving along an inclined portion 342. In this way, the amount of air introduced into the support 300 may increase and the pressure loss inside the support 300 and the aerosol-generating article 20 may be prevented.

The air may expand while passing through the inclined portion 342 is introduced into the aerosol-generating article 20, and may be effectively mixed with the aerosol. Therefore, a flavor of the aerosol delivered to the user may be improved and an amount of atomization may be increased.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an air passage 500 of an aerosol generating device 10 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the air of the aerosol generating device 10 according to the embodiment may flow into a cavity 310 through a gap between an accommodating portion 110 and a support 300. An opening portion 330 may provide fluid communication between the cavity 310 and the accommodating portion 110. The air may flow into the cavity 310 through the air passage 500. The air passage 500 may include a main air passage 510 and a sub air passage 520.

The main air passage 510 may extend between the accommodating portion 110 and the support 300 to the through hole 341 formed in a bottom 340 of the support 300. Accordingly, the air flowing through the main air passage 510 may be introduced between the accommodating portion 110 and the support 300, flow along the outer surface of the support 300, and enter the cavity 310 through the through hole 341.

The sub air passage 520 may extend between the accommodating portion 110 and the support 300 to the opening portion 330 that provides fluid communication between the cavity 310 and the accommodating portion 110. Accordingly, the air flowing through the sub air passage 520 may be introduced between the accommodating portion 110 and the support 300, flow along the outer surface of the support 300, and enter the cavity 310 through the opening portion 330. Because the accommodating portion 110 and the cavity 310 may be in fluid communication with each other by the opening portion 330, besides the main air passage 510, the sub air passage 520 may also introduce external air into the cavity 310. The amount of air flowing through the sub air passage 520 may be adjusted depending on the width of the opening portion 330. Because the amount of air introduced into the cavity 310 may increase by the sub air passage 520, generation and inhalation of the aerosol may be facilitated.

Those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiments may understand that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the scope of the characteristics described above. The disclosed methods should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention. 

1. An aerosol generating device comprising: a case; a heater arranged in the case and configured to generate heat; and a support configured to provide a space in which an aerosol-generating article is heated and generates an aerosol, and comprising: a cavity for accommodating the aerosol-generating article; an inlet for receiving the aerosol-generating article into the cavity; an opening portion located on a side surface of the support such that the cavity is exposed out of the support; and a rib located on an inner circumferential surface of the support and configured to guide movement of the aerosol-generating article against a direction toward the opening portion.
 2. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the rib protrudes toward the cavity from the inner surface of the support, and a surface of the rib is inclined with respect to an extending direction of the cavity.
 3. The aerosol generating device of claim 2, wherein a distance from a center of the cavity to the rib is greater than or equal to a radius of a horizontal cross-section of the aerosol-generating article having a cylindrical shape.
 4. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a side surface of the opening portion includes a guide portion inclined toward inside of the cavity such that a rotational movement of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity is guided by the guide portion.
 5. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the opening portion includes an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to an extending direction of the cavity.
 6. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein a first opening angle corresponding to a lower end of the opening portion is greater than a second opening angle corresponding to an upper end of the opening portion.
 7. The aerosol generating device of claim 6, wherein the first opening angle is 120 degrees to 180 degrees, and the second opening angle is 90 degrees to 120 degrees.
 8. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the rib extends along at least a portion of a perimeter of the opening portion.
 9. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the rib is arranged in multiple numbers.
 10. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the support further comprises a through hole in a bottom of the support facing an end of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity, and the heater is arranged to pass through the through hole.
 11. The aerosol generating device of claim 10, wherein the through hole includes an inclined portion where the through hole becomes larger along a direction toward the cavity.
 12. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the support is detachably coupled to the case.
 13. The aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the case includes an accommodating portion for accommodating the support, and an air passage for introducing air into the cavity is formed between the accommodating portion and the support.
 14. The aerosol generating device of claim 13, wherein the support further includes a through hole in a bottom surface of the support facing an end of the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the cavity, the heater is arranged to pass through the through hole, the opening portion provides fluid communication between the accommodating portion and the cavity, and the air passage includes a main air passage through which air flows into the cavity through the through hole, and a sub air passage through which air flows into the cavity through the opening portion. 